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Surface Rescue Swimmer Course

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OSCAR

Safety Precautions

When in close proximity of the rescue vehicle, inanimate objects shall be kept between the swimmer and the rescue vehicle to provide a buffer zone. OSCAR poses no danger to the swimmer. However, the swimmer should not “drop his guard” and become lax. Ever present dangers are:

OSCAR

Ship’s hull.

Rescue boat propeller or screw.

Sea predators or jelly fish.

Sea state.

**WARNING**

OTTO Fuel II is highly toxic, failure to observe all safety precautions contained in SW515-AO-010/MK46 could result in injury or death

The only torpedo that the rescue swimmer is authorized to enter the water to recover is the REXTORP (MK46 training shape). The hazards of Otto Fuel II, used in other torpedoes, make a waterborne recovery too dangerous.

Torpedoes

Description of Recoverable Exercise torpedo (REXTORP)

Length - 102”

Diameter - 12.75”

Weight - 517 lbs. with ballast and 337 lbs. without ballast

Fuel - none

Propulsion - none (has two non-functional propellers)

Torpedoes

Ballast - a total of six separate lead weights totaling 180 lbs.

Color -

Nose is anodized orange/red.

Ballast section is anodized orange with a blue band.

All other sections are a natural anodized finish.

Propellers are anodized red.

Torpedoes

Floating Characteristics - When surfaced, the REXTORP floats at a vertical attitude with approximately 10” of the nose exposed above the surface.

Torpedoes

Recovery Methods

Torpedo Retriever - This method is accomplished with the use of poles, snares, and cages. The weapon is hauled aboard ship via a ramp or crane. The use of a motor whale/ RHIB eliminates the requirement to deploy a swimmer.

Torpedoes

Helicopter.

Shipboard via davit and hoist (due to weight).

Assisted by swimmer (method of choice for this topic).

Assisted by boat crew (requires calm seas).

Torpedoes

Procedures

Swimmer prepares for normal deployment from forecastle or rescue boat.

Swimmer deploys.

WARNING

Due to floating characteristics of the REXTORP it is extremely difficult to move in rough water. The swimmer shall never place themselves between the REXTORP and the ship. Injury or death to swimmer could result.

Signal for nose cage. (Used because torpedoes do not have an attachment point for the tow line)

Approach and inspect.

Install nose cage.

CAUTION

Insure the handle on the nose cage is used to prevent injury to hands.

Torpedo

Signal ship or rescue boat to haul REXTORP alongside ship

Signal ship for hoisting strap.

Install hoisting strap with a double wrap around body of REXTORP at center of gravity (may require adjustment to balance REXTORP).

Signal ship for up hoist.

Swimmer is recovered.

Torpedo

Safety Precautions

DO NOT attempt a waterborne recovery of other types of torpedoes due to the hazards of Otto Fuel II.

Drones

There are numerous types of drones that the rescue swimmer might recover. A drone is an unmanned flying object used to simulate planes, missiles, etc. For this topic the MQM-74C will discussed.

Drones

Swimmer prepares for normal deployment from forecastle or rescue boat.

Deploy with tow line.

Approach drone with care.

Attach tow line to recovery ring.

Drones

Place two half hitches on drones nose with tow line.

Signal ship or rescue boat to haul drone alongside ship.

Signal ship for hoist.

Attach hoist to recovery ring, tow line becomes tag line for swimmer to guide drone.

Signal ship for up hoist.

Swimmer recovered.

WARNING

Watch for the drone parachute. It should release automatically upon impact with the water. If not, it is easily unhooked and allowed to sink.

Care should be exercised to avoid the sharp edges of the wings when attaching the tow line to the recovery ring located above the wings.

**WARNING**

If the swimmer is tasked to recover debris from an aircraft mishap, extreme caution should be utilized to avoid injury from hazards and unexpended ordnance, i.e.; parachute ballistic spreaders, ejection seat ordnance, etc. Information concerning these hazards can be obtained from your ships safety officer and the Material Safety Data Sheet.